Display panel



May 26, 1925.

I 1,539,633 F. W. BENTON ET AL DISPLAY PANEL Filed Aug. 1924 2Sheets-Sheet 1 WW5 Frank W Benton,

May 26, 1925. 1,539,633

F. w. BENTON ET AL DI SPLAY PANEL Filed Aug. 5, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Mn. lamb In")...

NH: lung Patented May 26, 1925. in

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK W. BENTON AND CHARLES C. BENTON, OF WILSON, NORTH CAROLINA.

DISPLAY PANEL.

Application filed August 25, 1924. Serial No. 734,084.

'1 '0 (ZZZ 107mm it may concern:

Be it known that we, FRANK \V. BENTON and CHARLES C. BENTON, bothcitizens of the United States, residing at lVilson, in the county oflVilson and State of North Carolina, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Display Panels, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to means for displaying advertisements and otherlike matter in barber shops and other places, the main object in viewbeing to provide means whereby the advertisements or other displaymatter will fall within the'direct line of vision of a person recliningin a barbers chair, so that he can read or observe the advertisements orother matter while being shaved or receiving other treatment from thebarber or operator.

Another object of the. invention is to provide a display panel which maybe mounted upon the ceiling of a barber shop or the like in such manneras to be adjustable with relation to the ceiling and to a barbers chairbelow, so that the advertising matteror the like may be disposed at aproper angle and within normal vision range for a clear display. or tosuit variations in ceiling levels or differences in lighting effects in.different shops, whereby the panel may be arranged to conform to varyingservice conditions to give av clear display and to prevent lightreflections, blurring,, lightand shadow e'iects or other defectsannoying to the observer or liable to cause eye strain.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a display panel orframe adapted to hold one or more advertising cards or signs of varioussizes and embodying means for varying the sizes of its .sign receivingspaces and for permitting of the ready and convenient changing of thesigns whenever desired.

Still another object of the invention is to provide simple, reliable andefficient means for adjusting the panel to and holding it in adjustedposition, for subdividing the panel into sign receiving spaces of thesame or diiferent sizes, and for clamping the signs in the receivingspaces in a manner to perinit of their ready and convenient applicationand removal.

The invention consists of the features of construction combination andarrangement of parts, hereinafter fully described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating the use of the invention.

Figure 2 is a face view of panel.

Figure 3 is a side elevation, showing the manner of mounting the paneland illustrating its adjustability.

l igure dis a section on line 4.4 of Figure 2.

' Figure 5 a section on line 55 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side view of one of the removable partitionsor molding the display strips, the frame molding appearing in dottedlines, showing one of the fastening devices for holding the removablestrip in position.

Figure 7 is an enlarged view of a portion of the panel, illustrating infull and dotted lines one of the end fastenings of a removahle strip insecuring and released positions.

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail section on line 88 of Figure 3. I

In the practical embodiment of our invention, we provide a display panel1 in the form of a holding frame, of rectangular,-

oblong rectangular, or other suitable shape. that shown in the presentinstance being of oblong rectangular shape and comprising side pieces orwalls 2 and end pieces or walls These walls 2 and 3 may be of wooden orother molding strips rigidly united to provide a frame of any suitablesize. The walls 2 and 3 are, asshown, rabbeted around their inner edgesto provide inner grooves or recesses 4t and outer grooves or recesses 5intersecting the same, the grooves t being adapted for the reception ofthe n'izarginal edges of a backing 6 of any suitable stiti' or rigidmaterial.

The frame is designed for the reception of objects '7, which may consistof sign cards or the like displaying the same or, other differentadvertisements or other display matter. The frame is of suchconstruction that it may receive and hold an advertising or sign card ofthe same internal dimensions as the frame, or it may be subdivided'intoreceiving spaces to receive a. number of sign cards or the like of thesame or different sizes. For the purpose of subdividing the frame in onedirection into spaces, one or more division strips or moldings 8 may beprovided to extend between the sides 2. Each of these strips 8 isprovided in the rear faces of its side edges with grooves or recesses 9complemental to the grooves 5, for a purpose hereinafter described. Eachstrip has its ends formed with lapping projections 10 to overlieportions of the faces of the strips 2, and is provided upon the innerside of its body portion, at each end, with a fastening or retainingmember 11 pivotally connected therewith, as indicated at 12, andprovided with outer and inner end portions 13 and 14. The outer endportions 13 of the members 11 are bentor offset to'have a springpressure'action and extend beyond the ends of the body of the strip 8 soas to project into the grooves 5 of the strips 2 andbear :against thebacking 6 when said ends 13 are projected for a retaining action. Whenthe projected ends 13 of the members 11 extend into the recesses 5,which position they are adapted to occupy when the members 11 lieparallel with the strips 8, the member 8 is held thereby fromoutwarddisplacement. In such position of the members '11, however, theyalso slidably con-- nect t-hestrips '8 with the strips 2, so that themember '8 may be'a'djust-ed longitudinally of the frame 1 to lie atdifierent distances from one or the other of the end pieces 3 andthereby divide the interior of the frame 1 into longitudinal spaces of asize determined by the position of the strip or strips 8. 'Thefastenings 11 may be re tracted by simply inserting the blade of apenknife, screw-driver or other thin blade, beneath the strip 8 and intoengagement with the ends 14 of each fastener 11 in turn, whereby underpressure the fasteners 11 may be swung from a parallel locking position,as indicated in full lines in 'Figure 6 and heavy dotted lines in Figure7, to a position at right angles to the strip 8, as indicated in lightdotted lines in Figure -7, whereupon the strip-8 will be released fromengagement with the frame 1, as will be readily understood. For thepurpose ofpreventing the strips 8 from becoming displaced-"afteradjustment, screws or like fastenin'gs 15 'may be provided for passagetherethrough and engagement with the backing 6, whereby the strips 8will be firmly'held in fixed position.

The spaces formed by the strips 2, 3 and '8 maybe employed forthe'reception of sign cards 7 of suitable size or sizes to fit withinthe-formed spaces, which cards may be suitably placedin position so asto have their marginal edges seat within the grooves or recesses 5 and9, whereby they will be held clampedagalnst the backing'6 against anypossi ility of displacement. We, however, provide means whereby theframe maybe dividing the space or spaces formed between the strips 2 andtwo of the molding strips 8,

or between the strips 2, 3 and one or more strips 8, into divisionspaces of a smaller size or sizes as desired-or required in service.Each strip 16 comprises, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 4,*a pieceof bowedspring metal which is designed in practice to overlap and'c'onceaglthe adjoining edges of adjacent sign cards 7 i'naspac'edivided thereby and to be engaged at its ends inthe grooves 5 inopposed sides offtwo strips 8 or-one of the strips 3'and a strip8, so asto be interlocked with the stationary strips and bear with springpressure against the'underlying edges "of *the cards, thereby concealingsuch edges and'any gap which may exist between them and clampingthe same=by spring pressure in position. In applying-'eachstrip 16, it isdisposadlwith its convex side, as shown in'dott'ed lines in Figure 4,against the edges o'fthe cards 7, and then pressed inwardly until it issubstantially flat, in which operation its ends are projected into thegrooves 5 by extensionof the said strip 16 in the process ofstraightening, or the strip 16 may, in order to facilitatethe-engagement of its ends with the grooves 5, be disposed at an angleand pivotally or slidably shifted-as it is straightened out to bringits'ends into engagement with grooves 5, as'will be readilyunderstood. Areverse motion of 'the strips 16 "will, it is obvious, admit of theirdisconnection from th'e frame for application at'other points or-toadmit o'f the removal'o'f sign cardsand the substitution of other-signcards therefor. It will thus be seen that the invention provides simpleand eifieient means'whereby the panel may besubdivided'into signreceiving spacesof the same or-diiferentsizes, and for clamping the Jsigns in i the receiving spaces in a manner to permit of theirready andconvenient application and removal.

One or more panels or frame's, constructed as described, and containingthe advertisingxor other matterto be displayed, are :designed'to bemountedupon the ceiling A of a barber shop or the like, so that thepanel or panels will be within the di- 166'6 range of vision of personsreclining'in a barbers 'chair or 1 chairs B arranged upon the :floorbelow. These sign :panels 'may also be arranged so that the'advcrtisingor other matter "contained thereon will be reflected ina=side=wallmirror C so as to be viewed by waiting customers'or othersseated or standing in the shop and facing in thedirectioniof the mirror.An important objectof our invention is tomount the panels 1 upon theceiling A so that they may be readily and conveniently adjusted withrelation to the ceiling A and chair or chairs B therebelow, for afocusing action or vision range adjustment so that the advertisingmatter or the like may be displayed at a proper angle and within normalvision range for a clear display. It is also designed to mount theframes 1 so that they may be adjusted as described to suit variations inceiling levels or differences in lighting effects in different shops, soas to give a clear display of the advertising or other matter under allservices or conditions and to prevent light reflections, blurring, lightand shadow effects or other defects which may be annoying to theobserver or liable to cause eye strains.

For mounting each frame 1 so as to secure the adjustments and advantagesstated, one of the walls or strips, as the strip 2, of each frame isprovided with apertured hanger plates 17 to engage hooked supportingbrackets 18 fixed to the ceiling A, whereby such side of the frame ispivotally and detaehably connected with and supported from the ceiling.At its side or end the frame 1 is adjustably supported from the ceilingby oppositely disposed pairs of folding or toggle links 19 pivoted attheir remote ends to the ceiling and frame respectively and at theiradjacent ends to each other, allowing such side or end of the frame tobe raised and lowered to a variety of positions. some of which areindicated in full and dotted lines in Figure 3. Each link 19 haspivotally connected thereto, as at 20, a segmental or arcuately curvedlatch bar or bracket 21 which latch bars or brackets extend in oppositedirections and overlap and are provided with longitudinah ly extendingslots 22 for the reception and adjustmenttherein of a bolt 28 providedwith a clamping nut 2 1, by means of which the locking bars or bracketsmay he slidably adjusted on each other in an arcuate path and thenclamped firmly in position to hold the hanger link members 19 spread orcollapsed to a desired degree and according to the frame adjustmentrequired. If desired, the engaging faces of the bars or brackets 21 maybe toothed or serrated for a secure locking engagement and to preventslippage. It will be seen that by means of these supporting andfastening members, the frame 1 may be quickly and conveniently appliedto or removed from the ceiling. and may be mounted upon a ceilingwithout marring or otherwise injuring the same. and that the frame maybe adjusted to lie at different angles to the ceiling and the chairbelow. and also with relation to a wall mirror C, by means of which theadvertising matter may be disposed to lie in the direct line of visionof a person reclining in a chair B and at diffcrent distances from thechair to suit any particular height of ceiling, in order to dispose thesign matter within normal vision range, or to suit any peculiarities inlighting effects in a particular shop so that the sign matter may beclearly displayed. The arrangement described may also be found suitablein many shops for reflecting the sign matter into a side wall mirror, asthe mirror C, so that the sign matter, in addition to being directlyvisible to occupants of the barber's chairs, may be read clearly throughreflection in the mirror by persons seated or standing in other parts ofthe shop.

It will, of course, be understood that. while the structure disclosed ispreferred, modifications within the spirit of the invention and scope ofthe claims may be made. Also, if desired, a mirror may be arranged asone of the display elements in each frame 1 so that a person recliningin a chair may see himself being shaved or otherwise treated by thebarber.

Having thus fully described our invention, We claim 1. Means fordisplaying advertisements or other matter in a barber shop so as to beviewed by a customer reclining in a chair, comprising a frame forholding the advertisement, means for hingedly supporting one edge of theframe from the ceiling, and means adjustably connecting an opposite edgeof the frame to the ceiling whereby the frame may be disposed atdifferent angles of inclination relative to the chair and ceiling.

2. Means for displaying advertisements or other matter in a barber shopso as to be viewed by a customer reclining in a chair, comprising aframe for holding the advertisement, means for hingedly supporting oneedge of the frame from the ceiling, hangers adjustably connecting anopposite edge of the frame with the ceiling, and means for securing saidhangers in different positions of adjustment.

3. Means for displaying advertisements or other matter in a barber shopso as to be viewed by a customer reclining in a chair, comprising aframe for holding the advertisement, means for hingedly supporting oneedge of the frame from the ceiling, links pivotally connecting anopposite edge of the frame with the ceiling, and fastening means forholding said links in different angular relations,

4. Means for displaying advertisements or other matter in a barber shopso as to be viewed by a customer reclining in a chair, comprising aframe for holding the advertisement, means for hingedly supporting oneedge of the frame from the ceiling, folding hangers adjustablyconnecting an opposite edge of the frame with the ceiling, and fasteningmeans adjustably connecting said hangers.

5. Means for displaying advertisements or other matter in a barber shopso as to be viewed by a customer reclining in a chair, comprising aframe for holding the advertisement, means for hingedly supporting oneedge of the frame from the ceiling, hangers pivotally coupled to eachother and to the ceiling and an opposite edge of the frame, fasteningbrackets carried by the hangers, and means adjustably connecting saidfastening brackets.

6. Means for displaying advertisen'ients or other matter in a barbershop so as to be viewed by a customer reclining in a chair, comprising aframe for holding the advertisement, means for hingedly supporting oneedge of the frame from the ceiling, hanger linkspivotally coupled toeach other audto the ceiling and an opposite edge of the frame, slottedfastening brackets pivoted to the hangers and slidable on each other,and fastening means passing through the slots in the brackets andadjustably connecting the same.

7. Means for displaying advertising or other matter upon the ceiling ofa barber shop in the direct line of vision of a ens tomer reclining in achair, con'iprising a frame for holding the matter to be displayed, andmeans for supporting said frame from the ceiling and for adjusting saidframe to different angles relative to the ceiling and to the line ofvision of a person reclining in the chair. 7

.8. A display device comprising a frame having grooves or recesses inopposite sides thereof, a division strip extending between said sides,and retaining members pivotally engaging the ends of the strips andslidably engaging the grooves in the frame sides and adapted to be swunginto and out of engagement with saidgrooves.

9. A display device comprising a frame having grooves ,orirecesses inposite sides thereof, a division strip exten ing between said sides,retaining members pivotally engaging the ends of the strips and slidablyengaging the grooves in the frame sides and adapted to be swung into andout-of engagement with said grooves, and means forfixing said strips tothe frame against sliding motion thereon.

10. A display device comprising a frame having its sides'provided withgrooves, removable divi-sion strips for separating the frame into objectreceiving spaces, fasteners for slidably connecting the ends of thedivision strips with the grooves or recesses in certain of the sides ofthe frame, means for fixing said strips against sliding motion, andnormally bowed spring strips adapted to be extended across said spacesand flattened against the objects to be held therein and 'tohave theirends sprung into engagement with the grooves or recesses in the framesides or division strips forming the sides of the enclosing walls ofsaid spaces.

11. A display device comprising a frame formed of'sides having innerrecesses and outer recesses intersecting saidinner recesses, a backingmarginally seated in the inner recesses, grooved partition stripsextending across the frame in one direction between certain sidesthereof and subdividing said frame into object receiving spaces,fasteners carried by said strips for slidable and deachable engagementwith said frame sides,

means for detachably fixing said strips to the backing, and normallybowed spring cross strips adapted to be extended across and flattenedagainstthe objects and to have the ends thereof sprung into engagementwith the grooves in thesides or partition strips or a sideandtapartition strip between which they extend.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures.

FRANK W. BENTON. CHARLES C. BENTON.

